Clackamas Auto Repair

What Happens If You Let Your Car Sit Too Long? Clackamas Drivers: Why That Parked Car May Be Falling Apart Right Now Most people don’t realize how fast an unused vehicle can start to decline. Whether you’re working from home, recovering from surgery, driving a second vehicle, or storing a seasonal ride—if your car or truck has been sitting, the clock is already ticking. At Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales in Clackamas, we help drivers from Happy Valley to Oregon City and throughout Clackamas County understand what happens when a vehicle sits still for too long—and how to stop the damage before it leads to major repair bills. Let’s break down what sitting really does to your car.     1. Your Battery Is Slowly Dying Even when your car is off, the battery is still working. It powers: The clock and radio memory   Anti-theft systems   Key fob receivers   Onboard computers and security modules   This is called ... read more

Should I Change My Brake Fluid? The Forgotten Maintenance That Could Make or Break Your Safety on the Road You know to change your oil. You may even stay on top of your tire rotations. But what about your brake fluid? If you're like most drivers in Clackamas, Happy Valley, Oregon City, or Milwaukie, you’ve probably never had your brake fluid flushed—or even thought about it. That’s why we see so many brake issues at Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales that could’ve been avoided with one simple service. Brake fluid doesn’t just affect your stopping power—it affects your safety, your wallet, and your entire brake system. And unlike oil, it doesn’t have a dashboard light or service sticker reminding you when it’s time. So let’s change that. Here’s everything you need to know about brake fluid—and why a flush might be the most important thing you do for your vehicle this year.     What Does Brake Flu ... read more

Why Is My Truck Misfiring? Don’t Ignore the Shake, the Light, or the Loss of Power—Here’s What’s Really Going On Under the Hood If your truck is misfiring, something is breaking down in the engine—and every mile you drive without fixing it is making the problem worse. Maybe your truck shakes when it idles. Maybe it stumbles when you accelerate, or the check engine light is flashing. However it shows up, a misfire is not a small issue. It’s a signal that combustion inside the engine isn’t happening properly—and that kind of imbalance leads directly to power loss, higher fuel costs, and long-term mechanical damage. At Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales in Clackamas, OR, we specialize in advanced engine diagnostics and misfire repair. Whether it’s an ignition issue, a fuel delivery problem, or internal mechanical wear, we’ll find the cause, fix it right, and protect your engine from further damage.     What I ... read more

Dashboard Warning Lights: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and When to Take Action When a dashboard warning light turns on, your car is trying to protect itself—and you. The problem is, most drivers either ignore it or don’t understand what it means… until it’s too late. Dashboard lights are not just symbols. They are early alerts—built to give you a chance to fix a problem before it turns into a breakdown, safety hazard, or expensive repair. This guide helps you decode your dashboard, take the right action, and stay in control of your vehicle’s health.     The Color Code of Dashboard Lights Before we break down individual warnings, here’s what the colors tell you: 🔴 Red = Stop Immediately – Indicates a serious safety or mechanical issue.   🟠 Yellow/Orange = Service Soon – A component is malfunctioning or declining.   🔵 Blue/Green = System Info – A feature like headlights or cruise control is ... read more

How Much Does an Alignment Cost? A Clackamas Driver’s Guide to Alignment, Value, and Long-Term Vehicle Protection If your steering wheel feels off-center, your car drifts while driving, or your tires show signs of uneven wear, it’s likely time for a wheel alignment. The question most drivers ask first is: “How much does it cost?” But here at Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales, we believe a better question is: What does an alignment actually save you in the long run? Because alignment isn’t just about price—it’s about preventing bigger, more expensive problems before they start. In this article, we’ll break down the factors that influence the cost of an alignment, what’s included in a quality service, and why it pays to get it done right.     What Is a Wheel Alignment? A wheel alignment adjusts the angles of your vehicle’s suspension system so your tires meet the road at the proper orientation—based ... read more